National History Day (NHD) is a year-long academic program for students (grades 6-12) that encourages historical research, interpretation, and creative expression through projects like papers, exhibits, documentaries, websites, and performances, culminating in local, state, and national competitions, teaching vital research, critical thinking, and presentation skills by connecting students with primary sources and a yearly theme. It turns history into an engaging, project-based learning experience, helping students understand the past to better navigate the present and future, according to the National History Day's website.
Every year, the National History Day competition is dedicated to an annual theme for students to explore through their chosen topics. The 2026 National History Day (NHD) theme is "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History" chosen to align with the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, inviting students to explore moments of dramatic change, responses to those changes, and efforts to improve society through projects. Projects can focus on revolutions, the reactions they spark, or the reforms that follow, often intertwined, requiring students to connect their chosen historical topic to these core concepts.
At Dunedin Highland Middle School, we have developed a sophisticated and competitive program of academic excellence for all Highlanders in this academic arena that spans over 16 years of scholastic excellence. The following DHMS alumni have showcased their projects in the national competition at the University of Maryland.
2011
Jaime Kay and Jessica Hamacher; Group Performance (Special Prize)
2013
2015
2016
2017
Emily Garnica, Trinity Barber, and Corinne McCormack; Group Performance
2018
- Hailey Sherrell, Chloe Baker, Tiffany Dove, and Ashley Mattson; Group Performance
-
Olivia Fuller; Paper
2019
Emily Hayes and Riley Matthews; Group Documentary
2020
- Prisha Sherdiwala; Paper
-
Austin Vo; Individual Website
-
Emily Hayes; Individual Documentary
-
Reagan Fitzgerald and Raegan Matthews; Group Documentary (Special Prize)
-
Mackenzie Wallace and Chaz Wain-Nye; Group Performance (Finalist)
2021
Avery Armanious, Lydia Li, Zoriana Nizhynska, and Sara Fletcher; Group Performance
2022
2023
2024
- Saashiv Gupta, Liam Jacobs, Jai Popuri, Arush Shah, and Matthew Sherrell; Group Performance (1st Place)
-
Ritchel Mesidor; Paper (Finalist)
-
Kennedy Hang, Melina Garcia-Pascual, and James Bohn; Group Website
-
Amelia Lane, Walt Kent, and Tyler Jones; Group Documentary
2025
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